When confronted with the purchasing cycle, it is a huge decision for anyone to determine whether to buy used or brand new. In terms of buying a lift truck and trying to decide between the two options, the best thing to do is know the application requirements for the lift truck. Like for instance, figure out the type of machine which is needed, how long you plan to keep it and how many hours per week or per year you will use it.
Usually, a higher priced forklift would hold its value longer over time. It is good to know that an inexpensive new lift truck may not have the overall dependability, capability or value of a used unit of an expensive kind.
When considering whether or not to purchase a new or used lift truck, there are 3 aspects of usage that you might wish to take note of: duty cycle, seasonality and utilization. If you are thinking of utilizing your lift truck for at least 4 hours a day, it is recommended that you purchase a brand new unit, especially if you would have a high-duty cycle. A high-duty cycle means moving many loads per hour that are near or at the capacity truck.
If you only need your lift truck for about 4 hours a day or on an irregular basis, a lower cost new unit or used forklift may be optimal. Several of the newer models are available at lower costs that are manufactured for lower-duty cycles. In addition, if you think that you would expect to use the forklift only during particular times of year on a seasonal basis, then a rental program or a used lift truck may best alternative available and can possibly save you a lot of money.
It is essential to know whether the equipment will be always used. This would mean determining the amount of uptime and dependability required for your particular application.